#413 - It's Not Just You: OT Burnout Is More Common Than You Think

#413 - It's Not Just You: OT Burnout Is More Common Than You Think

From All Things Sensory by Harkla by Amanda Mathers, OTR/L & Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, CPRCS

June 17, 2026 · 22 min · Episode 413

About this episode

This episode discusses the prevalence of burnout among occupational therapists and offers strategies for managing it.

If you asked 100 occupational therapists whether they've experienced burnout, how many do you think would say yes? In this episode, we have an honest conversation about burnout in the OT profession. We share our own experiences working in clinics, schools, and early intervention, and talk about the realities that many therapists face every day: overwhelming caseloads, endless documentation, productivity demands, long commutes, emotional exhaustion, and the pressure to constantly do more. We also discuss something that doesn't get talked about enough: how caring deeply about the children and families we serve can make it difficult to leave work at work. From challenging cases to social media comparison, there are so many factors contributing to burnout that go beyond simply being "too busy." Most importantly, we share practical strategies that have helped us protect our nervous systems, advocate for ourselves, set better boundaries, and create more sustainable careers. Thanks for listening 🩷 Whether you're a new grad, a seasoned therapist, or somewhere in between, we hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone. And reminder: GO ON THE TRIP. We’d love to…

People in this episode

Host: Rachel Harrington

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Harkla, OT, Primitive Reflex Digital Course

More episodes of All Things Sensory by Harkla

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the All Things Sensory by Harkla podcast page.